Virginia Recommendations

nbpiper · Dec 13, 2011

So it's that time again to place another order and I instead of order more English blends like usual, I should try something else. I've made it through most of a tin of Erinmore flake and started on a tin of University Flake. Have liked both, though I find UF to be better or the two. I've been looking to try something that's prominently Virginia's or at least one that doesn't contain burley (as I'm not a big fan of it).
So far I have a couple of things I want to try, but looking for either recommendations as I'm not too sure where to start. Up to now I've been smoking English blends mostly since I found them and looking to branch out a bit more.
Thinking of either getting GLP Jackknife Plug, Hal O' The Wynd, Orlik Golden Sliced, or Escudo. Just not too sure which one would be a better blend to start off from. I'm also not opposed to trying something with Perique or other types of leaf.
Thanks for all the help, it is definitely appreciated.

bambam · Dec 13, 2011

Orlik Golden Sliced is a great choice. : puffy

:

markw4mms · Dec 13, 2011

Blends that are easily available that I can recommend are HOTW, PS LNF, and GLP Haddo's Delight. LNF is very good in my opinion, and is available in bulk. If Dan tobacco gets their distributor problems fixed, Hamborger Veermaster is even better, and also available in bulk form.

withnail · Dec 13, 2011

If you liked University Flake, I would strongly recommend you give Dunhill Flake a try. It has a really nice Virginia blend with what they describe as a "special spice". The flavouring is very subtle and it has a delicate, almost mushroom like taste. I would say that it is my current favourite by far.
Also - "well done" for finishing a tin of Erinmore Mixture! It has been the only blend up to now that I just couldn't get on with at all. I only got a small sample pack and ended up throwing it out after smoking about half a bowl.

ohin3 · Dec 13, 2011

Dan Tobacco Hamborger Veermaster: Bright Va citrus, fresh bread, slightly spicy sweetness.
Fribourg and Treyer Cut Virginia Plug: Rich sweet potato pie spice and soft sweetness.
Reiner Long Golden Flake: Earth, subdued sweetness, bit of citrus and a bit of perique spice.
Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake: Fresh bread, slightly earthy and woodsy, savoury and a little sweet.
Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake: Dark, earthy, espresso or french roast with a bit of spice and subdued sweetness.
Dunhill Flake: bright, citrus, hay, a little sugar, but not rich. more bright.
Escudo: Spice, earth, stewed fruit, fresh cut hay and some caramelized sugar.
Solani 633: Sweet potato pie and caramelized sugar, a fair amount of spice and soft sweetness with a bit of a citrus note.
Rattrays Marlin Flake: Rich sweet potato pie and caramelized brown sugar with heavier sweet spice and creamy mouth feel.
Esoterica Dorchester: Spice bomb with earthy and fresh hay sweetness, bright citrus and stewed fruit more savoury than sweet.
G.L. Pease Telegraph Hill. Cocoa, earth, dark roast coffee, very subdued sweetness and a bit of savoury spice almost like cumin at times. I find this stuff to be quite magical.
That's my 2 cents.

kamikazesasquatch · Dec 13, 2011

I've tried the plug, golden flake, and escudo and can say with some certainty that you won't be disappointed with any of those. I actually have all three of those on order right now :D

docrx · Dec 13, 2011

Great list Ohin!

nbpiper · Dec 13, 2011

Thanks for all the recommendations. I have now added a couple of blends to the list to try. Unless I end up changing my mind before morning when I send the order in, it looks like I'll be getting
2oz Haddo's Delight

2oz Jackknife Plug

1oz PS LNF

50g Balkan Sasieni (couldn't resit not order an English, just in case I don't like the va's)
Sometimes I hate living in Canada and being forced to keep my orders under 200g/7oz's. Makes TAD orders more difficult than it should be.

chopz · Dec 13, 2011

eager to hear your opinions.

bogie · Dec 13, 2011

Awesome descriptions Ohin3, peaked my interest in a few .

danno · Dec 13, 2011

I smoke Predominantly English blends, but I do like Virginias quite a bit.

My latest personal discovery worth mentioning is C&D Briar Fox.

I have just about finished a tin, and it grew on me quite well.

I will be buying more.
I won't get into the gustatory descriptors, because to me, they all taste like tobacco, with impressions

popping out on their own, here and there.
I would say that this is an elegant tobacco. Well balanced, less prone to bite, and easy to pack and smoke.

lordnoble · Dec 13, 2011

Ohin introduced me to SG FVF and I have to say, that as good as it is when the tin is fresh, it's even better a year later.
-Jason
*edit* - Woo-hoo! 1400 posts!

ohin3 · Dec 13, 2011

@lordnoble: You are so so right about FVF. It is nice when young, but seems a steamy bloated mess when compared to FVF with a year or 2 of age on it. I find that most Samuel Gawith flakes are best when aged for as long as you can stand it, or your stash allows. I hated 1792 when I first tried it. I hid that tin away in a mason jar in the back of my tobacco cabinet for 3 years before I dug it out and smoked it again. 3 years in a mason jar did wonders for that tin. Speaking of 1792, that is another Virgina that is a must have if you like strong tobaccos that have aromatic qualities. You either love or hate tonqin...I love the stuff myself.

weezell · Dec 13, 2011

+1 on PS LNF,loves it!

nbpiper · Dec 14, 2011

I've been wanting to try some FVF or 1792 but can never seem to find any when I do place an order. One of these days maybe I'll be lucky.

lordnoble · Dec 14, 2011

Perseverance is the key. That and being on the computer at the right time helps. I'd offer to get some from one of the B&M's here that had a those a few weeks ago, but the price is ridiculous because of NYS's dumb tobacco tax. PM me if you're willing to pay out the nose for them.
-Jason

nbpiper · Dec 14, 2011

I appreciate the offer, but shortly after that post, while looking around for some snuff I did find some FVF. Now the question remains is, do I really want to pay that much for a 50g tin?

chandlerjr · Dec 18, 2011

Consider us newbies or new back to smoking a pipe (like me) when using abreviations. It took me a while on the internet to figure out SG FVF, stood for Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake. Or, it could be that at 60 I'm suffering from early alzheimers. LOL!

nbpiper · Dec 18, 2011

So I ended up ordering the FVF after all. Will probably be smoking the other stuff first and try and stick that one in the cellar for a bit. Is it necessary to age FVF, or is it still decent somewhat fresh?

judcole · Dec 18, 2011

I find that most Samuel Gawith flakes are best when aged for as long as you can stand it

I've got enough Best Brown to smoke 5 year old. Hard to find more, these days, though - but I have a bunch.

Virginia Recommendations

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